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Conservation Areas

Conservation areas are those parts of the District which have been recognised as having a special architectural or historic interest which is worthy of preservation and enhancement.

When considering planning applications for developments within them, a duty is placed on the local planning authority to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area. Anyone intending to do works to trees in a conservation area is required to give the planning authority 6 weeks notice.

There are, at present, 27 conservation areas within Bolsover District, all of which can be viewed using the Find My.. mapping feature at the top of this page.

We have made significant progress over the years to protect and conserve some of the more prominent historical buildings in the District, such as the Model Village and the former Church of England Schools in Creswell.

However, we are aware that a large number of historic buildings are at risk and therefore we have prepared a Heritage at Risk Strategy (1MB) which prioritises action to tackle a further twenty-one buildings or group of buildings at risk across the District. The priority buildings include historic farmsteads, former railway buildings, former shops and pubs as well as smaller residential properties.

What can you do about Heritage at Risk?If you know of a historic building that is at risk, where it has recently become more at risk, or if you are the owner or are interested in helping the Council save a building at risk, please let us know immediately.

More informationMore information on Heritage at Risk can be viewed at:

English Heritage is responsible for compiling and updating a List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Listed Buildings are graded I, II* or II in recognition of their relative importance. They include fine examples of buildings associated with well-known architects or, a particular architectural period.

Within the District there are presently 395 listed buildings, ranging from minor structures such as street furniture and telephone kiosks through to internationally recognised buildings such as Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall.

The whole of the building is protected. This includes its interior; where historic fabric survives, as well as its exterior. Objects or structures within the grounds, which have formed part of the land since before 1 July 1948, are also protected.

We have a statutory duty to ensure that all works to listed buildings preserves their special historic or architectural character. Any demolition, extensions or alterations that affect the character will require prior Listed Building Consent. This may include some internal alterations and certain repairs and maintenance works.

It is not the intention of listing to prevent any alterations or changes to a building, but to ensure that if works are carried out they respect the building's historic and architectural character. There will, however, be a strong presumption in favour of preservation and minimising any disturbance to the building. It is an offence to carry out any of these works to a listed building without Listed Building Consent and we may take action against any unauthorised works.

It is always preferable to proceed with the sympathetic repair of a listed building. We can advise on correct repair techniques and those repairs, which can be carried out without the need for Listed Building Consent.

There is a statutory duty on the owners of listed buildings to maintain their property in a manner that preserves its architectural or historic character. This can result in a higher than usual financial responsibility. If a listed building falls into disrepair or is not being properly preserved we can enforce repairs through legal action if necessary.

changing the use of land or buildings without getting planning permission first - one example is the use of a house for a business of car repairs

carrying out operations without getting planning permission first. It is not just the erection of buildings that may need permission - works such as walls, fences and even the construction of hard standings often need permission

non-compliance with conditions imposed when planning permission is granted

carrying out development which is different from the details approved when planning permission is granted

Our aims are:

To contribute to a fair, transparent and effective planning system by resolving planning breaches and by using enforcement powers in cases where unauthorised development unacceptably affects public amenity or the existing use of land or buildings

To take proactive action to improve the environment of the area

To monitor development under way to make sure it fully complies with the terms of any planning permission

How to report an unauthorised developmentIf you suspect an unauthorised development has taken place you should report this to us in writing by filling in an Unauthorised Activity Enquiry form (82kb). Telephone reports will only be acted upon if there are special circumstances or if there is special urgency, such as someone knocking down a protected building or tree. Anonymous reports will not be pursued, unless there is a clear and obvious breach of planning control.

For any further planning enforcement queries please contact us using the contact details on the right of this page.

When an application has been received by us, various checks will be carried out to ensure that all information required to process the application has been received. If further information is required, the application will be made invalid and further information will be requested from the applicant/agent, e.g. an additional fee or additional plans.

Once an application has been made valid it is assigned to a Planning Officer who will then carry out all the necessary checks and inspections.

All parties can view all representations made online via the Planning Portal website. Comments from neighbours will also be available although some private details including signatures, telephone numbers and email addresses are redacted and not available for viewing online. Please note that following a decision of the Information Commissioner, names and addresses will be revealed online.

You can track the progress of a planning application online - for further details go to the view planning applications page below.

Householder Enquiry Form

If you are proposing householder development e.g. the erection of extensions, garages, fences, etc, you can complete a householder enquiry form (282kb) and return it to us. This is currently a service we offer free of charge therefore response times cannot be guaranteed and standard planning applications will take priority.

Most planning applications require a location plan and a site plan (also known as a block plan), to be submitted as supporting documents. You can Buy a Plan to support your application from the Planning Portal website.

Design and Access Statements

A Design and Access Statement (99kb) is now required to be submitted with most Planning Applications. Further guidance on design and access statements can be found via the planning portal. You may need approval under the Building Regulations as well as planning permission if you are proposing building works. You should check with building control before starting any work.

Search Planning Applications

Details of all planning applications are held in the Online Planning System where you can find and comment on planning applications that are being considered near you. You can search for applications by property, application reference and even using a map. You can also track an application as it goes through the planning process.

Please note: you must register with us if you want to comment online or track an application.

All personal information provided to Bolsover District Council will be held and treated in confidence in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will only be used for the purpose for which it was given, however if you choose to comment on a planning application your name and address will be publicly available as part of the planning process.

Before you appeal against a decision, you should speak to a Planning Officer to see whether or not an amendment to your original application could resolve the issues.

The time limits in which you need to submit your appeal to the Planning Inspectorate are as follows:

Householder applications - the time limit to appeal is 12 weeks from the date of the notice of the decision or determination giving rise to an appeal.

In other cases, appeals should be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate within six months of the date of the decision notice giving rise to the appeal.

Where we have failed to make a decision, an appeal against non-determination can be submitted up to six months after the expiry of the period we had for dealing with the application.

Where an Enforcement notice has been served on the same, or substantially the same, development the time limits to appeal are:

28 days from the date of the refusal or the expiry of the period which we had to determine the application, where the enforcement notice is served before the application is submitted;

28 days from the date of the refusal or the expiry of the period which we had to determine the application, where the enforcement notice is served before the decision on the application is reached or the determination period has expired; or

28 days from the date the enforcement notice is served, where the enforcement notice is served after the decision or expiry of the period which we had to reach a decision on the application, unless the effect would be to extend the period beyond the usual time limit for cases not involving an enforcement notice, as outlined above.

If you have any further enquiries regarding the information above, please use the contact us details on the right of this page to get in touch.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are used to protect selected trees and woodlands if their removal would have a significant impact on the environment and its enjoyment by the public. Priority for Tree Preservation Orders is generally given to trees which are considered to be under threat, for example where development is proposed. Trees in Conservation Areas may be protected by TPOs but where they are not, there is a duty to give us six weeks notice in writing before carrying out any work.

Hedgerow RegulationsHedgerows represent some of the most important wildlife habitats in lowland Britain. The Regulations are intended to protect important hedges in the countryside. Anyone proposing to remove a hedge to which the Regulations apply must give the Council six weeks notice and give the reason for seeking to remove it.

High Hedges

Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 gives local authorities powers to deal with complaints about high hedges. As long as you have made reasonable attempts to resolve your dispute, you can bring your complaint about your neighbour’s evergreen hedge to us. If you wish to make a formal complaint about a High Hedge, you should contact us to request the relevant application forms or you can download the form here.. You will need to pay a fee of £390 if you make a formal complaint. This is needed to cover the cost of the work in dealing with your complaint.